Overview & Reviews
Pickup? SUV? How about both? The specialized Ford Explorer Sport Trac was a vehicle meant to offer the best of both worlds, which is to say the cargo-hauling ability of a pickup and the comfortable interior of an SUV. It was, in essence, an Explorer with a pickup bed grafted to the back.
There have been two generations of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. We were never very impressed by the original. Though clever in concept, it lacked in execution. The first Sport Trac was low-tech, underpowered and saddled with poor handling characteristics. The redesigned second-generation model, which debuted for the 2007 model year, was a much better package overall thanks to improvements in its power, cargo and towing capacity, and handling and comfort characteristics.
In most respects, Ford succeeded at its goal of building a vehicle that could act as both a pickup and an SUV. For consumers in need of a vehicle for hauling recreational gear or just something that can be used for light-duty trips to Home Depot, the Sport Trac should work just fine. We recommend shoppers take a look at some competing automakers' crew cab midsize pickups of the same time period, however, as they fulfilled much of the same role and offered advantages in refinement, performance and cab/body style configurations.
Most Recent Ford Explorer Sport Trac Models
The most recent generation of the five-passenger Ford Explorer Sport Trac was offered from 2007-'09. It came in a single body style: a four-door crew cab pickup. Although it shared the fundamental structure of the Explorer SUV, the Sport Trac was nearly 17 inches longer. The added length came from its longer wheelbase, which allowed room for the 4-foot cargo bed as well as plenty of rear legroom.
The Sport Trac's bed was constructed from sheet-molded composite (SMC), which was lighter than steel and wouldn't rust or dent. There were three integral storage compartments, and options included a folding cargo-bed extender and a hard tonneau cover. The bed contained a 12-volt power outlet.
Two trims were offered: base XLT and luxury Limited. The XLT's standard features included power mirrors and windows, keyless entry, cruise control, air-conditioning and a CD player. The Limited adds larger 18-inch wheels, color-keyed bumpers and mirrors, foglights and side-step bars. Major options include a sunroof, dual-zone climate control and a navigation system.
There were two engines offered in this generation. The standard 4.0-liter V6 engine (210 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque) was matched to a five-speed automatic transmission. The available 4.6-liter V8 (292 hp and 300 lb-ft) came paired with a six-speed automatic. There was also a choice of either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
In reviews of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac, we found the vehicle competent, with no major faults. Acceleration is average, even with the V8, and handling pleasant enough to fulfill Ford's target of carlike driving qualities. In addition, the cabin was comfortable and worked well enough. Although adequate in most respects, the Sport Trac wasn't outstanding in any one area. Accordingly, we'd advise consumers shopping for a multipurpose crew cab pickup to check out the Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier before making a decision.
Changes throughout this generation's brief span were minor, with Ford adding the Sync system for 2008 and upgrading the optional navigation system for '09.
Past Ford Explorer Sport Trac Models
Sold from 2001-'05, the first Ford Explorer Sport Trac suffered from the launch-model blues. It was based on the old, second-generation Explorer and built around the Explorer's 4.0-liter V6 engine, chassis and suspension. At the time, we noted that we liked the vehicle's dual-nature configuration and many available features, but disliked its sloppy handling, limited towing and hauling capabilities, and subpar off-road abilities.
Changes to this generation were minor, so used-model shoppers should probably not feel a need to focus on any particular year.
User Reviews:
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JUNK - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By MAURICIO MARTINEZ - December 2 - 2:00 amDONT WASTE YOUR MONEY. THIS IS A TRULY PIECE OF JUNK. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHIN THE FIRST 5,OOO MILES. OXYGEN SENSOR WENT OUT TWICE. REAR AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACE AFTER 20,000 MILES. VERY LOW QUALITY INTERIOR TRIM. PROBLEMS WITH HOOD, SEATS, TIRES, SUSPENSION, BRAKES LOTS OF NOISE, BAD GAS MILEAGE, NO POWER.
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Love This Truck - 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By wlbrez - November 26 - 1:30 pmI have had my truck for about 5 month & I love everything about it. I was brought up on Chevrolet but when I to buy my pick-up (yes I consider it a pick-up) I saw the Sport Trac, took a test drive & I was sold. It rides & handles like a dream. Plenty of room on the inside for my 6 foot plus two sons, extra storage space behind the rear seat plus hidden space in the bed. I have never been a Ford fan but now I am sold. The V-8 may not be the one of the best for gas mileage but it has plenty of get-up-and-go! If you are worried about that get a 6 cylinder. I really like the auto 4-wheel drive & the stability control. The window sticker is a lot lower than expected on a vehicle with this much wow.
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Ford should recall Sport Tracs - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By last ford? - November 13 - 1:36 amOnly complaint on the interior is the lumbar support on the drivers seat. Love the floor (no carpet), plenty of room, lots of adjustability. The exterior is great. Fuel mileage has been as expected (15 city, 19 highway). Good power. Rides like a truck, but it is a truck. Mechanically, Ford should issue a recall for brake problems. At 70,000 miles, its on its 4th set of brakes and 2nd set of rotors. Our Honda just had brakes for the 1st time at over 100,000 miles. We dont drive off-road, weve had no accidents, and we dont tow anything. We dont ride brakes, and we dont slam on them. This is clearly a Ford problem.
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Pushes dirt not just pavement! - 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By foobld - November 8 - 5:16 amMy wife and I bought the low miles ST after we had another child and an ext cab truck wasnt big enough. I was hesitant at first but quickly fell in love with it soon after. I replaced the tires with All Terrain tires which made a big improvement off road. This truck is awesome on and off road, just remember its a truck and not a corvette so it doesnt ride on rails. We will keep this as long as the engine goes, and then prob swap out with another. Buy it you wont be sorry!
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Sport Trac - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By bayhuntr - October 16 - 8:10 pmThis truck is perfect for someone who needs to on occasion haul 4x8 plywood, carry 5 passengers or have a lockable trunk (with the hard bed cover and locking tail gate). Im 66" and have good leg room. The arm rests and seat belts fit with the seat all the way back. The back seats fold down flat for when the dog is along. The only thing I wish they would improve is the mileage. If they came out with a hybrid Sport Trac, Id be all happy.
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Great Truck - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Jason - September 24 - 5:13 pmThe first time I saw this truck I wanted one. I bought this truck and it is the best vehicle I ever owned. We went camping and the truck box was great for hauling all of the gear. I cant wait until the 2007 Sport Trac and will buy one unless my wife buys one first.
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Great Truck - 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Meg - September 7 - 4:40 amJoy to drive. All around best Ive ever owned.
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Alans Sport Trac - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Bubba Alan - August 28 - 10:00 amOverall good vehicle, needs a little more front leg room
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Love My Sport Trac - 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By Judy D - August 28 - 10:00 amI love my truck and I am real pleased with the over all quality. The fuel mileage, design, comfort, performance, and reliability. I have only had my Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4 months and so for its thumbs up.
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so far so good - 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
By harvey/chad - August 7 - 10:00 amso far i enjoy the sport trac 4x4. It has been very reliable. i am 64" tall and so far the interior and leg room works well. Poor gas mileage (16mpg)(i have the 4.10 rearend). the goodyear at/s tires wear poorly. For the money it seems a bit cheesy. Resale value is poor for a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The bed is awefully small and nearly worthless.
